3 Key Leadership Tips From Twitter CEO Dick Costolo

“If you don’t deal with [leadership roles], dysfunction becomes embedded in your company,” he said. “That dysfunction becomes learned and part of the culture of the company and it’s almost impossible to eradicate it.”

Here are some of Costolo’s tips for successful leadership as he guides Twitter toward a possible entrance onto Wall Street.

  1. Don’t try to make friends. “As a leader, you need to care deeply, deeply about your people while not worrying or really even caring about what they think about you,” Costolo said.

    “Managing by trying to be liked is the path to ruin.”Costolo admits this is easier said than done, but added it’s important to avoid simply telling your employees what they want to hear. Don’t apologize for making a tough decision, he said, be confident and clear when dictating what must be done.

  2. There are many different ways to be a successful leader. Often, particularly in Silicon Valley, successful CEOs are overanalyzed and placed under a microscope. “We take notes and we feverishly try to imitate what they’ve done to be successful,” Costolo said. “The reality is, these people are the same people they were 10 years ago, and are going to be 10 years from now when it may not work at all for them. The very same person they are today that’s lionized may be frowned upon 10 years from now.” Leadership techniques change, so it’s vital to understand there are many paths to success.
  3. Be transparent. “The way you build trust with your people is by being forthright and clear with them from day one,” he said. “You may think people are fooled when you tell them what they want to hear. They are not fooled.” As a leader, people are always looking at you, Costolo continued. Don’t lose their trust by failing to provide transparency in your decisions and critiques.

    What’s the best piece of leadership advice you’ve ever received? Share with us in the comments below.

Read more: mashable.com